Readers sound off on kids' smartphones, guns and horse carriages

By Voice of the People

Feb 24, 2018 | 3:00 AM

Glued to the screen? (FatCamera/Getty Images)

Balancing small screens & minds

Brooklyn: Re "Put that iPhone down" (Op-Ed, Jan. 28): I am in agreement that there should be a limit on the use of school tablets and laptops. I partially agree that there should be no more phones used during the school day, but instead there should be designated times for phone use.

I recently graduated from high school and have had personal experience with the effects of this kind of technology in the classroom. During my freshman and sophomore years, we were not allowed to use our phones during the school day at all. Then in my last two years, they changed the policy to allow phone use during lunch break.

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I noticed that, in general, when there was a certain amount of time designated for phone use that students were more committed to following the rules. In a world that is so "connected," it is important to have a certain period of time to check messages, make quick connections and get the "jitters" out.

In regard to the use of tablets and laptops, my high school provided tablets for all students to use to access textbooks and other learning apps. While the tablets were convenient and helpful at times, they were very distracting for many people. Rather than doing their work, my peers and sometimes myself included, would go on websites to shop or play games. Some friends even said that they would prefer a physical textbook to a tablet as it is less distracting.

In college I have noticed myself becoming distracted from having my laptop in front of me. There are amazing and productive uses for technology in the classroom, but constant access does significantly distract students. I think the key to maintaining focus is using technology in moderation. Sarina Savage

Catholic school, Catholic rules

Bronx: The parents of Malcolm Combs should be grateful their son attends Christ the King HS where his education is a priority. He is in an environment with no guns, knives or gangs. I went to Catholic school, kindergarten through college. I was taught discipline and respect. If they feel that their son is being targeted for a sweatshirt, that should be the least of the problems he would have faced in public schools. Apparently, they want the best for him but they also have to understand that if an administrator feels that something will cause a reaction, a student should not question their authority. If you want your child to excel, learn to live with the rules. If anything, they will come away learning how to respect themselves and others. Lucille Martinez

The complete Malcolm story

Brooklyn: Voicer Gamaleel Isaac needs to read "The Autobiography of Malcolm X." Only half of what he said in his letter about Malcolm is true. Once he made his pilgrimage to Mecca, he came back, left the Nation of Islam and preached all people were equal. This is why he was assassinated. Julia Duvall

Grave disrespect

Atlantic Beach, L.I.: To the dirt bags who vandalized our loved ones' final resting ground: You suck ("Cemetery mayhem," Feb. 14)! Those are our grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters and children. You should be ashamed! All we wanted when they were laid to rest was a sanctuary where they could rest in peace. Now you have shattered their peace. I hope their souls come to haunt you all of your days. Keep looking behind you because karma catches up. We are disgusted and heartbroken. Marianne Croteau

Offering the gift of life

Glen Oaks Village: I have just received a phone call from a member of the St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus #5911 in Douglaston. His name is Donald Freeman and is in need of a kidney after being on dialysis for the last two years. The average waiting time for a kidney transplant is between 5 to 10 years. Now that I find quite sad and unacceptable, as a person waiting on this list could have passed away by then. I would like to call upon all who can and are willing to donate a kidney or any other organ to please get tested and registered. There are many who truly need this gift of extended life. For more information please go to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org. They will help you with any questions you might have and where to register as a donor. Remember, many men, women and children want what you have to offer, and that is life. Frederick R. Bedell Jr.

Double standards

Mineola, L.I.: Shame on the Daily News for its incomplete and biased reporting style ("New view of 'ivy' league Obamas," Feb. 13). An obvious example of double standards in the article about the Obama portraits. Why omit a very important fact about Amy Sherald, the artist who painted Michelle Obama's portrait? Please look at one of her other pieces of "art," which depicts a black woman holding a knife in one hand and a beheaded white woman in the other. Where is the outrage from The News and/or any of the women's advocacy groups out there? James Formato

Stop blaming the President

Manhattan: Like him or hate him, Donald Trump is the President. These shootings are happening too many times, and listening to those children and family members who lost loved ones was heartbreaking! Everything these children talked about has been brought up by so many concerned citizens for years. Yet not a thing has been done to fix the problem. It's always turned into a political football with both sides blaming the other. There is no quick fix. But to blame one person is ridiculous! How many former Presidents tried, really tried, but failed to make a difference? Sam King

Cut off the money

Woodside: We should pass legislation banning politicians from accepting donations from any organizations. Then maybe they would listen to their consciences and not those who are paying to get them into office to be their puppets. I can't stop thinking about this. We need to be safe — and to keep our children safe. Joan Bergen

Pass the ammunition

Richmond, Va.: To Voicer Geri Sabia: Here in Virginia, you can go to any gun show and sell any kind of weapon without a dealer permit who wants to buy it for cash. True, there are gun dealers at the show that require you to fill out a form of sorts, but not if I am selling you a weapon. I am not a member of the NRA (I thought the NRA was a club for people who own rifles and hunt?) Marty Goodman

No guns for teachers

Yonkers: Arming teachers has to be the stone cold dumbest idea yet. They're teachers (hello?), not sharpshooters — a completely different skill set attributed to a completely different personality type. People do kill people — people with guns, that is. Take the assault weapon out of the equation and you have a totally different result. Kids should be able to go to a place of learning and feel safe there, not fear for their lives because they're entering a firing range instead of a school. Suzanne Hayes Kelly

Dangers in the classroom

Rockaway Beach: Suppose a teacher goes berserk and shoots her entire class? No, more guns in the classroom is definitely the wrong answer. Anybody who thinks it is the proper solution should go to the back of the class. Maureen McNelis

Professional protectors

Brick, N.J.: Just an idea for securing our schools: Assign a member of our National Guard to be stationed at every school in our country. This would give our students and their parents a well trained and armed security blanket in the event of a hostile situation. Thomas Kaczmarek

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Fergie’s anthem disgrace

Bronx: It sounded to me like Fergie tried to make the national anthem sound like a sultry sexual song. I have news for her, the anthem is a song which symbolizes the greatness of our country and the men and women who sacrificed and laid down their lives to establish our independence. Her rendition was a disgrace and a affront to all the servicemen and women and their families who paid the ultimate price to ensure the freedom that we all enjoy. Truthfully, I would rather she take a knee and keep her mouth shut. Stu Holmes

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End the carriages

Staten Island: I totally agree with Elizabeth Forel on the need for a total ban of horse drawn carriages in New York City ("Stop horsing around and ban carriages," Op-Ed, Feb. 3). The business is antiquated and doesn't belong in the 21st century. The conditions that the horses are forced to live under are cruel, and any regulations that were instituted to protect the horses are not well enforced. Serious accidents involving humans have happened. There was another accident in Central Park involving a carriage horse after this Op-Ed was published. Why should we be waiting for a human fatality? Is that what it would take for City Council to come to its senses? Terry Russo